According to Stark, the A's are the American League's third most improved team.

Number two under the Best Free Agents, 2 Million and under, Stark writes:
"2. A's guarantee $500,000 to Frank Thomas, a guy who got just 101 at-bats last year -- and still hit as many homers (11) as all the Oakland DHs combined."

He then rips us for signing Loaiza for three years, citing his .306 opponents batting average on the road.

Then there's this:
3. Mac Suzuki (A's): Not to suggest it's been a while since Suzuki won a game in the big leagues. But his last win was so long ago (Aug. 23, 2001), he gave up a home run to Delino DeShields in it.

Then Jerry "one of the few guys you can read for free" Crasnick redeems everything and picks the A's to win the West.

But then soils it with, "Ellis, who signed a two-year, $6 million contract two weeks ago, needs five homers to reach 33 for his career and break the record for a native South Dakotan."

Much love.

Links:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2330477
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2331387